Listen closely. Article 17 Sculpture is not what you expect.
This artwork embodies Bremen’s commitment to human rights. It’s a testament to the city’s welcoming culture. Bremen considers immigration an enrichment. This reflects its tradition as a cosmopolitan Hanseatic city.
The Artikel 17 Sculpture is a bronze band. It sits by the wayside. Artikel 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is inscribed on it. The artist Witha Winter von Gregory created it.
Bremen has many artworks in public spaces. The city was the first in Germany to involve inhabitants in selecting artworks. There are around 670 works to see.
The Bremen Town Musicians are a symbol of hope. They came to Bremen for a better life. Like them, many people have come to Bremen. They came from Germany and the world.
The Bremen Town Musicians are without doubt the pride and joy of the Hanseatic city. A bronze statue created by Gerhard Marcks in 1953 stands in the heart of Bremen as a tribute to the popular fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. According to the story, a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster set off on a journey to Bremen in search of a better life.
Touching the donkey’s legs is said to bring good luck. Make sure you rub both legs. Do it with both hands. Otherwise, you’ll look like a newcomer. There is a saying in Bremen that it’s just one donkey shaking the hand of another!
Bremen was made famous by the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, “The Town Musicians of Bremen”. In the story, a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster were all getting older and feeling useless on their farms. So one by one, they left their homes and set out on an adventure together to go to Bremen, known for its freedom, to live without owners and become musicians. They ended up saving the town from thieves and lived happily ever after of course.
The sculpture shows the animals breaking through a wall symbolizing the Iron Curtain.
Take a moment to appreciate this art. Remember Bremen’s values. The Artikel 17 Sculpture stands as a reminder. Human rights matter. Inclusion enriches us all.